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 28
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 28
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 28
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 28
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 28
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pendent thinker, and derives his information. when practicable, from original sources. In all things he is systematic and exact, and counts as worth- less all knowledge that is not accurate.
During the vacations of the courts Mr. Allen does not remain idle. but continues in his office engaged in work of investigation. He deals with his clients with the utmost candor. Among his distinguishing characteristics is his fidelity to his friends. Ile possesses a high sense of honor, and is boid and unyielding in the defense of right. He devotes his periods of leisure to literary read- ing -- historical. philosophical, ertical and poetical -- but never allows it to infringe upon his pro- fessional study or work. He fully recognizes that truth so often urged by the sages of the law. that, of all men. the reading and thoughts of law- vers should be the most extended. Systematic and careful reading in the higher works of litera- ture-historical, philosophical, critical and poet- ical-gives breadth. freshness and comprehensive grasp to the mind. variety and richness to the thoughit, and a clearer perception of the motives of men and the principles of things, indeed of the very spirit of laws. Nature has given us both reason and fancy, and they are meant for use. Hence he argues that the mind should both reason and bloom. Besides. a cultured fancy guided by a severe taste is a source of invention in argu- ment. He occasionally writes, but only as a mat- ter of amusement or for the gratification of friends. His style in writing is clear, logical, chaste and impassioned. His thoughts are expressed with force and sententiousness; his fancy is delicate and subtle, and usually pervades his writing.
Mr. Allen is a charming conversationalist. Ilis wide range of reading, habits of analysis and oh- servation, intuitive knowledge of the motives of men and women. his fine faney. rapid play of thought. and quick apprehension, combine, with his genial good humor and innate charity. to make him an agreeable and most brilliant member of society, and to render his triumphs in the salon equal to those at the Bar. He is, both as the re- sult of thought and observation, a stanch and en- thusiastic friend of popular education. and is keenly alive to the advantages to be derived from
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an increase of facilities for university and scien- titie training for the young. During the eleven years prior to the summer of 1881 he was one of the Trustees of William Jewell College, and dur- ing the four and one-half years succeeding Janu- ary, 1885, he was a Curator of the University of Missouri, and earnestly co-operated with his as-0- ciates in the promotion of the interests of these respective institutions. Probably to no one in the State is William Jewell College more indebted for its present high state of efficiency.
Although not a member of any church. Mr. Allen entertains a high respect for religion, and conceives that reverence for it among the people is the life and soul of healthful, well-ordered so- ciety. Ile is public-spirited and ready at all times to aid and encourage those movements which tend to increase the material happiness and promote the culture of his community. His highest con- ception of the due execution of a man's life work is the faithful performance of duty. In politics, he is a firm, consistent JJeffersonian Dem- ocrat.
OIN CROWLEY. the energetic and enter- prising Vice-President of the Bank at Law- son, and widely known as one of the lead- ing and representative business men of Polk Township, Ray County. Mo .. has prosper- ously followed varions avocations, and through excellent business judgment has achieved success. and is now numbered among the extensive land- holders of the county. Industrious. hardworking, and withal possessed of sterling integrity of char- acter, our subject command- the esteem of a host of true friends. His parents. John and Sarah (Mayo) Crowley, were married in 1812. and in the year 1816 journeyed from East Tennessee to the struggling Territory of Missouri, and, loest- ing within it- borders. founded here a home for their descendants.
The father and mother of our subject were blessed by the birth of a large family of chil-
dren, and of the eleven sons and daughters who once clustered about the family table, but tive now survive: Sarah, John, Thomas, Eliza and Millie M., all in their various homes and localities useful and honored citizens. Their father was a man of undoubted ability and well fitted to cope with the dangers and privations of pioneer life. Aetive, intelligent and progressive. he steadily won his way upward, and in time accumulated twenty-three hundred acres of valuable land, all of it being susceptible of high cultivation. The main business of Father Crowley's life was farm- ing and stock-raising, and. well understanding the duties of agriculture, he achieved more than ordi- nary success in the tilling of the soil. In polit- ical affiliation he was a pronounced Democrat. firmly believing in the principles of the party founded and sustained by the immortal Thomas Jefferson. His wife was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and both of these worthy pioneers are yet well remembered as kind and generous friends and neighbors. Dying they be- queathed to their children the memory of their many virtues, and left to them as a priceless in- heritance the love of country which has ever dis- tinguished their conduct as citizens.
Our subjeet attained mature age in the Missouri home, and. early trained in habits of self-reliance, grew up an energetic, capable and earnest man. ready for the battle of life. In search of both adventure and profit, he. in 1853. drove a herd of cattle to California. when the plains were fre- quently swept aeros by bands of hostile Indian -. Returning agam to Missouri, Mr. Crowley wa-, in 1858. united in marriage with Miss Ann Fuller. who became the mother of nine children. and in 1881 passed away, lamented by a large circle of friends and her immediate family. In 1883 our subject married the second time, his pre-ent wife having been Mrs. Carrie S. Pigeon. a daughter of Andrew and Mary Fuller, well-known resident- of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Crowley are members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. and are among the valued and influential workers in that religious organization, and are ever foremost in the promotion of social and benevolent enter- prise.
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At one time our subject gave much time and attention to the breeding of line cattle, but is now engaged in general agriculture and stock-raising. Mr. Crowley owns one thousand acres of excellent land, much of it highly improved. In 1867 he for the first time engaged in the banking business, making his venture in Richmond, Mo., later en- tering into a similar financial enterprise in Law- son, and, aside from the fact that he is Vice-presi- dent of the bank, he is also the mainstay, executive manager and principal adviser as regards the method and handling of the daily business trans- acted. Fraternally, Mr. Crowley is a Free Mason and a member of Bee Ilive Lodge No. 393, at Law- son. Years have passed since our subject began life in the border land of the Southwest, and as the years have come and gone he has been more and more closely identified with the growth and progress of his early home, and. an ardent be- liever in advancement and reform, has been an important factor in the upbuilding and develop- ment of local interests and improvement. Mr. Crowley is no politician, but he is a Democrat, and, in common with all good citizens. ever interested in the local and national affairs of the day, and believes that sooner or later the prin- ciples of right and justice must universally pre- vail.
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UDGE NILES ESREY. There is a certain picturesqueness about the nomadic habits of Americans, especially during the last cen- tury, for in connection with the desired change is the aspiration to open up to the world untried paradises. In England families are con- neeted in history with certain localities for cen- turies, but in the States a settlement of a few years in a locality constitutes one an " okl citizen." The Esrey family have perhaps as sure a claim to old citizenship as any in Missouri, for a half-century has elapsed since they came to take possession of the land.
It was our subject's father who first migrated to Ilinois from Meade County. Ky. He was the lon.
Jesse Esrey and was born in 1800, a son of John Esrey. a Pennsylvanian, who was born July 5. 1714. and was a stanch ofdl patriot of English de- scent. The representative of the present genera- tion whose history we shall consider. Judge Niles Esrey, was born in Clark County, III., June 25. 1835.
Grandfather Esrey made settlement in Ken- tucky at an early day. In 1776 he was married to Miss Hester Clark. a native of Pennsylvania and born June 5, 1758. The family later moved to Clark County. Ill .. where the old gentleman's decease occurred. It is a singular fact. that although one hundred and fifty years have elapsed since the birth of Grandfather Esrey. representa- tives of the three generations are still living.
Jesse Esrey was reared as a farmer and was appar- ently of an inquiring turn of mind, for he wanted to spy out the best places in this goodly land. and with that in view first made a prospecting tour in Missouri in 1837. In 1840 he purchased a farm in Crooked River Township, Ray County. He built a log house and lived in familiar companion -. ship with the inhabitants of the forest and in true pioneer style. The thickly timbered places literally swarmed with deer and even larger game. While living in Illinois our subject's father served in the Legislature in 1832 and 1833, and again in Missouri in 1852 and 1853, and was a Justice of the Peace from the time he was twenty-one years of age. Ile was a man who naturally took the lead and whose opinions were law to others, and was in religious inclinations a Methodist.
She who guided the early steps of our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Hannah Foster, a native of Kentucky and of Irish-German descent. She was a highly esteemed matron until the ripe old age of eighty, and reared nine children. of whom our subject was the eighth in order of birth and one of five who are still living. Judge Esrey acquired the rudiments of his education in the pioneer schoolhouse which has been described many times within these pages. He remained on the homestead and took care of his mother until 1857.
The first great change in our subject's life. was his marriage, which occurred December 21. 1857. when he was united to Missouri A. Stratton. of
Milton Corum
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Ray County, this State. She is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Stratton, and one of a large family of children. Her father died at the age of seventy-eight years, having reared his family in the faith of the Methodist Church. Mrs. E-rey is an amiable and capable woman, whose many good qualities well justify the confidence her husband has in her. Judge Esrey has a fine farm compris. ing four hundred and twenty-six acres of land, which lies so that, kissed by the sun and made fer .. tile by the waters, it is one of the best tracts of this locality. He is a stockholler, Director and Pros- ident of the bank at Hardin, but gives his atten- tion chiefly, however, to his farming and stock- raising.
H
M ILTON CORUM, an energetic and success- ful agriculturist. and highly respected citizen of Clay County. has. steadfastly won his upward way unaided. and now owns his valuable homestead, located upon section 12, township 52, range 33, which from wild prairie land he has brought under a high state of cultiva- tion. Our subject was born in Green County. Ky .. in 1810, and was the son of W. C. and Barsheba (Bloyed) Corum, natives respectively of Virginia and Somerset County. Md. W. C. Corum was the son of John and Nancy (Cook-hin) Corum. the . paternal grandfather being a native of England, who emigrated to America before the Revolution- ary War.
The father of our subject removed to Kentucky in about 1801, and purchased land whereon to en- gage in the occupation of his life. In 1819 he came to Missouri with his family, and settled in Cooper County, where he entered land from the Government, and lived six years. Later he lo- cated in Clay County, where he also entered Gov- ernment land, and made a home for his family upon a portion of the farm where our subject now resides. This pioneer citizen was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Politically. he was a Democrat. He died at the age of eighty-six years.
Arriving in Missouri in the very early days. Mil- ton Coram Lad but the most primitive advantages for an education. He received about two years' instruction In the old log schoolhouse with punch- eon floor, split logs for seats, a slab on one side for a writing-desk, and a log cut out for windows. and with med and stick chimney. Having a taste for reading books containing valuable information. our subject has educated himself in matters of vital importance, and self-reliantly gained a stock of general knowledge. useful and highly instruc- tive.
When Mr. Corum and his good wife were chil- aren, they were obliged to spin flax and wool and assist in making the clothing. Among other pio- neer experiences, Mr. Corum was obliged. when he first came to Missouri, to travel sixteen miles to the nearest mill. then run by horse-power. Our subject wa- one of six children who gathered in the home of his father and mother so many years ago, as follows: Thomas, John Kearney, Milton: Nancy, Mrs. Dennis Il. Boggess, deceased; Wil- kerson: and Susan, wife of Jackson Estes. In 1837 cur subject married Miss Margaret T. Young, who was born in 1819, and is a daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Stroud) Young, all natives of Ken- tueky. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Corum have been born ten children. one of whom died in infancy, the others surviving to become worthy and upright citizens. They are: John: Nancy A., wife of John M. Moore; Mary E., wife of Chrissman Johnson; Thomas, deceased: Alice J., who married William Pancake; Lney, wife of William J. Wilkerson; Samuel: Stephen and Robert, deceased; and :- mantha M .. Mrs. D. Best.
At the time of our subject's marriage he re- ceived as a gift from his father eighty acres of wild prairie land, and the home prepared for his bride was sixteen feet square, and rude in con- struction. Mr. Corum had previously worked by the day and month, and being an expert cradler. profitably continued hi- outside work in the har- vest season for many years, while at the same time he judiciously managed hi- farm. He now owns two hundred acres of finely improved land, which annually yield- an abundant harvest. and thus re- wards the patient cultivation long continued. In
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political affiliation Mr. Corum is, as was his father before him, an earnest Democrat, and interested in local and national issues. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and are liberal supporters of that religious organization, and ever ready to assist in worthy social. benevolent or re- ligious enterprises. Long-time residents of the county, they enjoy the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends.
UDGE WILLIAM J. FRANCIS, a man of high ability and sterling integrity of char- acter and an honored veteran of the Mexi- can War, bravely engaging in the service of the Government when a mere boy, has for many years been numbered among the prominent and successful agriculturists of Clay County, Mo., and now resides upon his valuable homestead, lo- cated on section 2, township 52. range 32. and is well known as an energetic, resolute and indus- trious citizen. Our subject was born in 1825, in Lincoln County, Ky., and is the son of Pearl and Harriet (Taylor) Francis, who were born in the years 1799 and 1801, respectively. The paternal grandparents were Henry F. and Elizabeth (Pearl) Francis. Grandfather Francis was supposedly born in Virginia and reared in Kentucky. Ile was a farmer by occupation, and died in Little Rock, Ark., where he went about 1828. Pearl Francis was one of seven children. and remained upon the old Kentucky homestead throughout his boyhood, and attended the common schools of those early days. At nineteen years of age he married, and engaged in farming. Arriving in Missouri in 1828 with but very limited means, he located in Gasconade County, and purchased Gov- ernment land. Later removing to Cole County, he owned a homestead of two hundred acres which was his home when, in 1850. on his way to , California, he died of cholera at Ft. Laramie. Ile was a man of integrity and ability, and served as constable for many years in Cole County.
The mother of our subject survived until 1863,
and married a second time. The children of her first union were: Lumsford. deceased, who was with his father at the time of his death; Granville. deceased; Henry, who accompanied his father ou the fatal journey, and died and was buried in the same grave; our subject, William J., who is next in order of birth; Amanda, deceased; Sophia, wife of Charles Peck; Ebenezer, who died in California; T. Morgan, who resides in California; Mary F .. the wife of William Jackson, of California; Ade- line, the wife of Robert Jackson, of Putnam County, Mo .; Robert, who lives in Arkansas; and Pearl, deceased. The stepfather of these children was a well-known citizen, James Burns.
Judge Francis enlisted as a soldier at twenty years of age, engaging in the Mexican War in Company A, Missouri Infantry. He went out under Gen. Doniphan, but served most of the time under Gen. Price, and was also with the com- mand of Gen. Kearny for a brief period, and fought in several battles of that historical cam- paign. In 1847. returning again to his home, he was for two years variously occupied. but during this time attended school.
In 1819. our subject in company with many others crossed the plains to California. journeying by ox-teams, and was four and a-half months on the way. Ile mined on the Yuba River, near where Marysville now stands, and was quite suc- cessful in this venture. Ile continued mining op- erations one winter and spring, and then began trading at different posts, and found this profita- ble for the time being. In 1850. aboard a sail- ing-vessel, he crossed at Panama, and proceeded upon his homeward way by steamer to New York, and from there journeyed via Philadelphia to Baltimore, and then to the Monongahela River and Ohio to Cairo, thence by boat to St. Louis. and from that city by boat to his destination. In a short time Judge Francis bought a farm near Jefferson City, and in 1852 married Miss Martha Waller, a daughter of Granville and Virginia Waller. U'nto our subject and his estimable wife were born six children. The sons and daughters who brought sunshine into the home were: Will- iam W .; Louisa, wife of James Colher, of Ft. Worth. Tex .; Mary, wife of French Bogges: Leona,
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wife of Frank Braly; Sally, wife of Price Bog- gess; and Emmet L. The mother of these brothers and sisters died in 1874, and in 1879 Judge Fran- cis was united in marriage with Miss Abbie Eeton, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Brocks) Ecton. Mrs. Francis is the mother of one child, a daugh- ter, Brooksie. Our subject owns one hundred and eighty aeres of land purchased in 1866, and his wife also possesses one hundred and eighty acres of excellent farming property. Judge Francis and his wife are valued members of the Baptist and Christian Churches respectively and are always foremost in the good works of these religious de- nominations. Politieally our subject is an active Democrat, and, enjoying the confidence of his party, was elected to his present honored position as County Judge November 8. 1892, and since ably discharging the duties of his office has proven himself most thoroughly well qualified to preside upon the judicial bench with dignity, etlicieney and honor.
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ON. JAMES EDWIN LINCOLN was born near Liberty, Mo., September 27, 1810, and is an honored member of a family whose representatives have been intimately con- neeted with the grandest achievements in our nation's history. His grandfather. Thomas Lin- coln, was a native of Rockingham County, Va., and a brother of Abraham Lincoln, the grand- father of the late lamented President of the United States.
The father of our subject, George Lincoln, was born in Fayette County. Ky .. April 15, 1792, and followed the trade of blacksmith and miller, also engaged in farming operations. In December, 1822, he removed with his family to Missouri and entered a tract of land near Liberty, where he made his home until shortly before his death. A volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, he partici- pated in the battle of the River Raisin and many other engagements. Twice he was taken prisoner and also suffered the hardships of the memorable
Canada campaign. During his residence in Clay County, he erected one of its first gristimills, and as he was industrious and prudent, was almost in- variably successful in his undertakings.
Ilis health failing in the spring of 1847. George Lincoln made a trip to the Rocky Mountains, hoping to be benefited thereby. On his attempt to return he could get no further than Council Bluffs, lowa. where he died April 28. 1st8, leaving his widow with thirteen children, namely: John, Robert, Gatewood. William. Lemuel S .. George T., Charles. James Edwin. Ann, Fannie, Cordelia, Lucy and Julia. The mother of our subject was Julia Ann, daughter of Peter Gatewood, a well- known farmer and stock-raiser of Fayette County. Ky., many of whose horses became celebrated on the turf. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Lincoln remained on the homestead and managed the affairs of the estate with rare business judg- ment. She reared her large family with a solici- tude that insured success and gave to the country some of its best citizens. All of her sons make their home in Missouri, with the exception of George T .. who resides in Bentonville, Ark.
At the time of her death. September 5, 1892, Mrs. Lincoln was perhaps the only living resident of Clay County who settled there as the head of a family as early as 1822. She left surviving her one hundred lincal descendants. scattered in the various walks of life throughout the great West from the British possessions to the Gulf of Mexico. Of this large family of which she was the head, eight are her children, forty-six grand-children and forty-six great-grandchildren. Her daugh- ters are all married. Ann T., formerly the wife of John A. Beauchamp, died in Clay County in 1853; Fannie is the widow of Isaac N. Hockaday, who died at Platteburg, Mo., in April. 1874: Cordelia. who died in 1858, was the wife of Col. John Lee Howard. of Mason County, Ky .; Luey Gatewood Lincoln married Thomas K. Bradley, a merchant. formerly of Liberty. but now with his family re- siding in Nebraska City: Julia is now the wife of Hon. John M. MeMichael. who at one time was ed- itor of the Plattsburg Lover.
dame- Edwin Lincol wa- educated in the pri- vate schools of liberty. most of the time under
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his favorite tutor. Dr. Thomas S. Dabney. In 1860 he graduated from William .Jewell College of Liberty. Two years later he completed the course of study in the Law University at Louisville. Ky .. and after graduating at that institution he re- turned to Liberty, where he opened an office for the practice of his profession. Owing to the bit- terness engendered by the Civil War then in progress. civil proceedings were superseded by military authority, and consequently all law was suspended, and Mr. Lincoln went to Colorado and Montana, where he engaged in trading. In 1861 he returned to his home and in the following year resumed his practice, by entering into part- nership with Col. II. L. Routt. To this gentleman Mr. Lincoln expresses himself as greatly indebted for valuable aid in obtaining knowledge in the practice of law. adding. "for no man is more grate- fully remembered than he who lends a helping hand to a young lawyer struggling for a recogni- tion at the Bar; and to Col. Routt most of the younger members of the Liberty Bar are under lasting obligations for his kindness and assistance at a time when they most needed it."
The partnership with Col. Routt was dissolved in the fall of 1867, when Mr. Lincoln formed a connection with Col. W. H. Woodson. which con- tinued until January, 1873. Since that year he has conducted his practice alone. As an attorney he has had charge of many of the most important and complicated cases that have been before the courts of Missouri, some of which involved large amounts of property and lasted as long as ton years. In almost all these cases he has been sue- cessful and his practice has increased to a flattering degree, until now it absorbs his constant and un- divided attention.
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