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 29
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 29
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 29
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 29
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 29
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December 7, 1865. Mr. Lincoln married Miss Margaret Pixlee Bird, of Liberty. Her father, Greenup Bird, Sr .. now deceased, was one of the sterling Christian men of the State and for over forty years was a prominent business man of Lib- erty, where he was highly esteemed. His wife, Catherine ( Pixlee) Bird, was the daughter of Will- iam Pixlee. one of the pioneers of Clay County. and a man of high standing in his community. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln have been the parents of tive
children. three of whom are now living: Katherine Bird, born in 1873; Gatewood Saunders, born in 1875, and J. Edwin, whose birth occurred in late. The eldest and youngest. Lora and Charles Prince- ton. are deceased.
Politically Mr. Lincoln is a Democrat and i- prominent in the public affairs of Liberty and Clay County. In 1871 he was elected City At- torney of Liberty, and in the fall of 1872 Prove- euting Attorney for Clay County, serving two years, after which he declined re-election. In 1876 he was chosen to represent his county in the Twenty-ninth General Assembly of the Missouri Legislature. This being the first session under the new Constitution was one of the most important in the history of the State, as it involved a gen- eral change in existing laws and the enactment of many new ones. Mr. Lincoln took an active part in all the proceedings, serving on several commit- tees, and was chairman of the special committee appointed to amend and conform the laws to the new Constitution. The Journal of the House furnishes ample evidence of his work as chairman of that committee.
In 1878 Mr. Lincoln was elected Probate Judge of Clay County and in 1882 was re-elected with- out opposition. In 1884 he resigned as Probate Judge and Curate of the State University, which office he held by appointment from the Governor He then removed to Colorado and established a bank at Buena Vista, the firm name leing Lincoln. Hockaday & Co. His health failing. he sold out his business and returned to Liberty, where he resumed the practice of law.
All educational enterprises find in Mr. Lincoln a firm friend and he has done all in his power to foster schools and colleges, believing that the fu- ture interests of our country depend upon the edu- cation of the children. He is also an unfaltering friend of the temperance movement. and in relig- ious connections is a member of the Christian Church, which he joined in his eighteenth year while at college. Since 1982 he has been a mem- ber of Liberty Ledge No. 31. F. & A. M., and sub- sequently joined Chapter No. 3. and since 1573 has been identified with the Liberty Commanders No. t. K. T. in all of which lodges he has filled
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different official positions. For a quarter of a cen- tury or more he has been identified with the his- tory of Clay County as one of its most prominent and popular citizens, and is connected with the Bar of the State as one of its keenest intellects and most successful representatives.
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HI. DOLLIS, a prosperous general agricultinist and successful stock-raiser, owning a valuable farm, located upon section 20, township 53. range 30, Clay County, Mo., is an energetic, up- right and highly respected citizen and well known in this portion of the State, and also in and about Kansas City, near which thriving town our subject lived for some time. He was born in the year 1853, and is the son of George W. and Louise (Majors) Dollis, who were blessed with a family of nine children, two daughters and seven sons. The brothers and sisters were Susan. Sarah Ellen. William, James. 1. II. (our subject ). George. Rufus, John and Edward. Those deceased were Susan, James, Rufus and John. Those living are all ve- cupying positions commanding respect and honor.
The beloved wife and mother. Louisa (Majors) Dollis, died in 1876, after a life of usefulness and unselfish devotion to her bereaved family. In 1879, Mr. Dollis was united in marriage with Mrs. Fannie (Soper) Shaver, and she is yet surviving. George W. Dollis is a native of Mason County. Ky., and was born in the year 1816. From early boyhood energetie and enterprising. he began the daily toil of life when but a little lad. and re- ceived only a primary education in the little sub- scription schools of his early home. In 1810, he removed from Kentucky to Missouri, and located in Clay County. A lifelong farmer, he devoted the extensive acreage of his landed property to the purposes of general agriculture and stock-raising.
I'ntil seventy-six years of age, the father of our subject was an active worker, always industri- ous, and could hold his own side by side with young and sturdy men. Bringing his tine farm of six hundred and fifteen aeres under cultivation.
he has also been an important factor in the de- velopment of various promment interests of his county. Both George W. Dollis and his excellent wife are members of the Christian Church and are ever ready to aid in the good work of that relig- ious denomination. Mr. Dollis is in political belief a Democrat, and is always interested in the local and national management of affairs, and is widely known as a man of integrity and honor.
Our subject was born in 1853. and was reared and educated in the neighboring school and upon the homestead of his parents. Arrived at man's estate, and well fitted to begin life for himself. having had a practical training upon his father's farm, and being thoroughly at home in all the de- tails of agricultural life, he married in 1887 Mis- Rosalie Brawner. and removed to Kansas, which he chen made his home for four years, spending this time in the cultivation of one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, fifteen miles from Kansas City, which farming property he still owns. Fraternally, Mr. 1. Il. Dollis is a member of the Alliance, and is in political affiliation. as was his father before him, an ardent Demoerat. Mr. and Mrs. Dollis are both active and valued members of the Christian Church, and within and without that religious organization have a large circle of friends and acquaintance, and. ever ready to aid others less fortunate than themselves. are hospitable and generous Christian people, worthy of the respect entertained for them by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
R OBERT BRECKENRIDGE, an energetic. successful and representative general far- mer and stock-raiser, has been intimately associated with the local progress and ad- vancement of Clay County. Mo., for more than three-score years, and, a man of worth and intelli- gence, command- the esteem and confidence of a large cirele of friends and acquaintance. Our sub- jeet was born in Bourbon County, Ky. in 1825,
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and was the son of Edlyn and Eleanor ( Dunean) Breckenridge, early and honored pioncer settlers of Missouri. Robert Breckenridge was but four years of age when his parents brought him to their new home in Clay County. Here he received a primary education in the primitive schools of the neighborhood. He remained with his parents un- til he had attained manhood, and when about the age of twenty-one, entered the United States ser- viee as a teamster during the Mexican War, and went to Santa Fe, N. M .. being absent six months, returning overland in 1817.
In common with our self-made men who are the backbone and sinew of this great republic, our sub- jeet began life at the foot of the ladder, and climbed steadily upward. In 1838, he bought eighty acres of wild land, which he has brought ap to a high state of cultivation, and has added to his homestead one hundred aeres more. which land is cleared and now mostly in pasture. Tin first home built was a very inferior log house, but a commodious and attractive structure has replaced the residence of early days. The occupation of Mr. Breckenridge's life has been general farming and stock-raising. but in one year after his mar- riage, which occurred in 1849. allured by the mar- velous stories of California's glittering treasure, he bade a farewell to his home and wife and with a brother and a friend crossed the plains in 1850, and was absent sixteen months, making the over- land trip in about seventy-live days. His success was not sufficient to keep him longer from his pleasant home, and having worked in the mines and around langtown he returned by water, via New Orleans, crossing the Isthmus.
Once more upon the farm, Mr. Breckenridge re- turned to the labor of agricultural life. His es- timable wife was Miss Elizabeth Young, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Abigail (Strode) Young, well known to a large circle of friends. Our subjeet and his wife have the following children. all highly respected citizens, and at home or not far sepa- rated from their parents. Matthew. the eldest. is lo- cated in Higginsville, Mo .; Alexander is at home; George lives in Clay County: Araminta is the eld- est daughter; Lou is Jhs. Erwin, of Macon City: Vida C, and William C. are at home. Mr. Breck-
enridge isa member of the Christian Church. and bis family are among the valued workers of the religions organization. Politically. our subject :- a Democrat, and interested in all that pertains to the wise management of local and national affair -. and useful, industrious and publie-spirited. he is among the important factors in the progress and advancement of his State and county.
R EN. WILLIAM R. ROTIIWELL. professor of Theology and Moral Philosophy in Will- iam Jewell College, at Liberty, is a promi- nent representative of the old and re- speeted family of Rothwells. of Callaway County. Mo., but originally of Virginia. An extended notice of the family appears in the history of Cal- laway County, also in the histories of Randolph County, where Hon. Gideon F. Rothwell re-ide -. and of Audrain County, of which Dr. Thomas P. Rothwell is a resident. From the " United States Biographical Dictionary" ( Missouri Volume) we re- produce the following sketch of the Rev. Dr. Roth- well's life:
William R. Rothwell was born in Garrard County. Ky .. September 2. 1831. His parents, John Roth- well, M. D., and China ( Renfro) Rothwell. daug !:- ter of Dr. William Renfro, of Garrard County, Ky .. were of Virginian birth and English descent. They had six children, three sons and three daugh- ters. In 1831. soon after the birth of the subject of this sketch, they removed to Callaway County. Mo. From early childhood William was studious and gave great promise of becoming an eminent scholar. He attended the common schools of the county in which his father resided. and with the help of two sessions at academies, was prepared in 1851 to enter the Missouri University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Master of Arts, July 4, 1851, taking the first honor in aclass of ten.
At the time of his graduation, our subject had decided upon the medical profession, but his plans were changed by his being, in the same year.
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elected principal of Eli Ridge Academy. Howard County, Mo .. where he received a very encourag- ing salary, and, being stimulated by success, he re- mained for two and one-half years, when he was elected the first President of the Baptist Female College, at Columbia, Mo. (now known as Stephens College). After a year of service there he was elected to succeed Rev. William Thompson. LL. D., as President of Mt. Pleasant College. Huntsville. Me , which position he held with great success for twelve years.
In 1853 our subject was converted under the preaelung of Rev. Tyre C. Harris, of Columbia. Mo., and seven years later he was ordained to the ministry, and was successively pastor of the Baptist Churches at Huntsville and Keytesville, Mo. Dur- ing the years 1871-72 he was Corresponding Sec- retary of the Baptist General Association of Mis- souri, in which position he acquitted himself with marked ability. His letters and communications while serving in that capacity are noted as being among the most graceful and forcible that have emanated in the interest of that body. In 1872 he was elected Professor of Theology and Moral Philosophy in William Jewell College, which posi- tion he still holds (1893). He was also acting President of the college from 1873 to 1883. In 1874 his Alma Mater. the University of Missouri. in honorable recognition of his distinction as a man of letters, conferred upon him the dignity of Doctor of Divinity. Every moment of his time since graduating has been one of intellectual ac- tivity and usefulness.
The marriage of Prof. Rothwell in lass united him with Miss Louisa. daughter of Allen Hughes. of Howard County, Mo. In 1860 Mrs. Rothwell died, leaving one son. John Hughes, who is a graduate of Wilham Jewell College. and of Belle- vue Hospital Medical College, of New York, and is a successful physician of Liberty. In 1863 Prof. Rothwell married Miss Fannie A., daughter of Y. R. Pitts, of Glasgow, Mo. and they are the par- ents of one son. Younger Pitts, who, having grad- uated from William Jewell College. is now pursu- ing his studies in Germany.
Perhaps in few homes of the State could be found a more complete library than that of Prof.
Rothwell. He has spared neither time nor cx- pense in adding to it the standard works on theo- logy and moral philosophy. besides valuable eu- cyclopedia. Hli- taste for literature and his de- sire for improvement have drawn around him friends of high social standing. He is in perfect
sympathy with the Baptist workers throughout the State, who frequently enjoy the hospitalities of his beautiful home. He has been a frequent contribu- tor to both religious and secular periodicals. \n " Address on Christian Education." published by the Missouri Baptist Historical Society in 1888. had a very extensive reading. lle is the author of a treatise on "The New Testament Church Order," and of a volume of letters on " Reading the Scriptures."
Politically. Prof. Rothwell is a Democrat. always voting, but not otherwise taking any great inter- est in politics. Six feet in height and erect. his personal appearance is very commanding. Pos- sessing an easy dignity and genial manners. he is naturally very popular among both the students of the college and his fellow-citizens. His sense of duty impels him to the front whenever princi- ple or honor calls. He is a ripe scholar of elegant culture, in the prime of his mental vigor. and a man of liberal and expansive views. Perhaps no one in the State stands higher in the love and confidence of his denomination of Christians than he.
ICHAEL CAVANAL'GII. an energetic and enterprising agriculturist and highly re- spected citizen, now residing upon section 6. township 52. range 32. Clay County. Mo., has brought his valuable homestead of one hundred and twenty acres up to a high state of cultivation, until the fertile soil of the once wild land and heavily timbered wilderness yields him an abundant harvest of golden grain and fruit. Our subject was born in County Wexford. Ireland. in 1826, and was the son of Patrick and Bridget (Reach) Cavanaugh. The parents were both na-
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tives of the Emerald Iste. the father having been born in the Old Country in 1790, and the mother in 1795. The paternal grandfather. Matthew Cavanaugh, also born in Ireland, was well known as a man of sterling integrity of character. In the early part of Patrick Cavanaugh's lite. he owned a small tract of land. but he derived the support for himself and family from his work as a laborer on a farm, or in publie work.
The father and mother of our subject were mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church, and reared their children in the faith of their forefathers. Their entire family of six sons and one daughter emigrated to the United States, and have for many years been numbered among the useful and law-abiding citizens of our great country. The brothers and sister were Matthew; Michael; Mary. the wife of William MePatten: James, deceased; John, deceased; Phillip and Patrick. Our sub- jeet began to make his own way in the world at eight years of age, and had therefore literally no opportunities for even a primary education. 1 bright little lad, he worked eight weary years for one man, receiving but thirty-two shillings per year. He then spent about two years in various kinds of employment, and finally determined to try his fortunes beyond the sea. Having carefully hoarded enough money to bring him to America, he crossed the broad Atlantic, and. landing in Quebec, soon found his way to Vermont, where he remained only a month, when he removed to New York State and there finding work was busily em- ployed for three years.
Inducements having been offered to him, our subject next journeyed to Indiana, which State he made his home for twelve years. his employment most of the time being day labor. Thrifty, prudent and hard-working. Mr. Cavanaugh saved up several hundred dollars and settled in Kansas, where through unprofitable investments he lost all his hard-earned money. With unabated energy and honest resolution, he set himself to work again, and coming to Clay County, Mo., was soon enabled to purchase his present homestead, to the improvement of which he has devoted himself with excellent results. Soon after reaching the I'nited States, our subject and one of his brothers
sent for their parents and younger members of the family. and ere long parents and children were re- united in "the land of the free." The father and mother enjoyed a pleasant home in Clay County. and here died a few years age. Our subject was married in New York, in 1853, to Miss Ellen Brean. who has been the mother of several children, of whom but three survive. John is the oldest of the family. Michael C. is the father's namesake. and the second son. Elizabeth, the wife of James Fay, is the only surviving daughter. Mr. Cavanaugh rejoice, in the birth of ten bright and promising grandchildren, who, preserving the family name, will take their place among the well-educated and honored citizens of the United States. In political affiliations, our subject is a Democrat, and ever in- terested in local and national issues. An intelli- gent, liberal and upright citizen, a kind friend and good neighbor. Mr. Cavanaugh has the good- will and best wishes of a large circle of old-time acquaintances, who thoroughly appreciate his ster- ling integrity of character.
C ALVIN ILAUSER. a retired lumber merchant of Richmond. Mo .. was born in Fishing River Township, Ray County, Mo., March 26, 1841, the eldest son of Thomas and Susan Il. (Hindman) Hauser. the father being a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Tennessee. The latter was a daughter of William. Hindman, who was of French and German descent. Hler mar- riage took place in Clay County, Mo., whither she had come with her parents in 1839.
Mr. and Mrs. Hauser. Sr., settled near Missouri City. in Clay County. and after some years' resi- dence there removed to Fishing River Township. where the father carried on general farming until his death. April 11. 1881. He was born in 1809. The mother died October 1, 1892. aged seventy years. Our subject passed his youth upon the farm, attending the public schools, and later. after one year in the Lewis Institute. in Clay County.
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taught school, continuing in the profession for ten years. In the spring of 1878 he went into the lumber and implement trade, the name of the firm being Jackson. Patton & Hauser, and it con- tinued to do a large and successful business for twelve years. At the expiration of that time Mr. Hauser and Mr. Patton sold their interest to W. . R. Jackson, after which our subject devoted huis : Civil War. entire time to the management of his property.
Calvin Hanser. our subject, was married four times, his second wife being Rhodie Jackson, who had born to her one son, Orville R. Ilis present wife was Miss Addie Smith. daughter of John Il. Smith, of Richmond. Mo .. by whom he has one daughter, Deborah L. In politics our subject is very conservative. reaching conclusions after ma- ture deliberation, and declining to be held down by any rule pre-eribed by others. He is a mem- ber of Harmony Lodge. A. F. & A. M., at Vibbard. llis membership is in the Christian Union Church and his wife holds hers in the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has a very attractive new frame residence on North Main Street, with pleasing surroundings of grove and lawn, where amid eom- forts and luxuries he can look back on a life spent with profit. it having brought him more than a sutlieieney against the conventional "rainy day," however long its continuance.
ILLIAM A. THOMASON, a successful gen- eral agriculturist and well-known and highly respected citizen. residing on sec- tion 6, township 52. range 32, Clay County. Mo .. is intelligent, energetic and enterprising, and nearly two-score of years ago made his home upon the one hundred and twenty acres then unbroken prairie land, but which now. yielding to a high state of improvement. annually returns our subject an excellent income. Mr. Thomason was born in Scott County. Ky. September 4. 1830. He was the son of Nelson and Sarah (Thompson) Thoma-on. Nelson Thomason was a native Virginian and was born about 1800; he was a farmer by occupation and went to Kentucky with his parents in his youth.
Notwithstanding his youth he served in the War of 1812, entering in 1813. Ile was but seventeen years of age when his father died, and immediately took charge of the farm, managing the homestead until his marriage some years later. Prospering. he became an extensive land-holder, also owning about thirty slaves, who were liberated by the
Our subject had but limited advantages for gaining book knowledge, but obtained a primary education in the district schools of his home neigh- borhood in Kentucky. At the age of twenty-one years William Thomason was united in marriage with Miss Frances Moore, a daughter of John and Sarah A. ( Wills) Moore. Mrs. Thomason was born in Scott County, Ky., in 1835, and there was reared and educated. Her parents were both na- tives of the same county, the father being born in 1802, and the mother, his jumor by nine year -. in 1811. Mr. Moore was in early life an overseer of a large cotton plantation in the State of Missis- sippi, where he superintended the culture and picking of the valuable crop for a term of nine years. At the expiration of this time he returned to Scott County, Ky .. where he married and re- mained the greater part of his life. The very last days of his useful and honored carcer were spent in Clay County, Mo., he there passing away at the good old age of eighty years.
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomason has been blessed by the birth of nine children. Of the sons and daughters who. once gathered around the family hearth, but one died in infancy: the others, surviving the perils of childhood. lived to mature years. The brothers and sisters whine names are chronicled are Lucy E. and Robert L ... deceased; Sarah, wife of John Moore: Mary. wife of Merritt Connell; John; Eveline, wife of D. D. McDowell; Samuel M. and Matilda. All the sur- viving children of our subject are occupying po- sitions of usefulness and honor and enjoy the confidence and esteem of a large cirele of friends. It was in 1854 that Mr. Thomason and his family first came to Clay County and located upon their present homestead. Many seasons have passed, and in the changes of the years our subject ba- been intimately associated with the best interests
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of his neighborhood and county. He and his es- timable wife are valued members of the Christian Church and are among the liberal supporters of that denomination. In political affiliations, Mr. Thomason is a Democrat and an earnest advocate of the party. Liberal-minded and just in business dealings and a man of undoubted integrity of character, he worthily ranks among the substantial citizens of the county.
HOMAS LIGGETT. a prominent and suc- cessful agriculturist of Clay County, Mo .. is a native of the State, and possesses a most entertaining and valuable store of remi- miseences of the carly pioneer days. His personal experiences not only in Missouri but in the Far West, more than two-score years ago, are vividly interesting and graphie in de-cription of scenes of frontier life, which have long since yielded place to more advanced civilization.
Our subject was born in Howard County. Mo., July 26, 1826. and was a son of Thomas and Fliza- beth (Lemons) Liggett. The father was born in Wythe County, Va., and the mother in Orange County. N. C. The paternal grandfather, John Liggett, was a native of the Old Dominion, but was of immediate Trish descent. He was an ear- nest and energetic man. and aside from the prosper- ous pursuit of agriculture, ran a gristmill on John's Creek. Thomas Liggett. Sr .. was born on his fa- . ther's farm, and also devoted himself to the peace- ful avocation of a tiller of the soil. While yet a young and unmarried man. he entered the service of the Government in the War of 1812, and was in the army of Gen. Jackson, and in the command of Capt. Brown. When at Natchez. Miss .. he ex- perienced the horrors of being in the midst of an epidemie of yellow fever. After the war ended. the father of our subject returned home. and again resumed farming duties.
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