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 30
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 30
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 30
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 30
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 30
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Thomas Liggett. Sr .. was first married in Vir- ginia, and unto him and his wife were born seven children, who, with their mother. long since entered
into rest. A second marriage gave to the father an- other son, Enoch Liggett, now a very wealthy citi- zen of Gentry County. Mo. The second wife died in ebon! 1814, and ahnost immediately afterward Father Liggett removed to Missouri, and. having located in Howard County, there married the mother of our subject. who was the daughter of Jaenb Lensons, a veteran hero of the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Lemons, who was a native of Ireland, was a brave and fearless man. and car- nestly desiring to assist in establishing the freedom of the Colonies. served courageously under Wash- mgton, and unmurmuringly shared the suffering- and privations of those troublons days. Much of the time without shoes. his feet bare and bleed- ing. be marched through tempests, steadily for- ward to victory, the blood-stained -now only re- vealing the story of the soldiers' humble heroism. When Grandfather Lemons first come to America. he made his home in Hillsborough. N. C .. where he reared his family of two sons and two danghters. Hle was not greatly prospered in worldly affairs. and much of his life was spent in a struggle with poverty. The sons never left North Carolina, but the daughters came to Missouri, making the weari- some journey with a team, and walking nearly all the way.
Unto the father and mother of our subject were born eight children, of whom Thomas wa- the old- est. Amanda. deceased, was the first daughter. and became the wife of Alex Steward. America married James Galloway. James, the second son. is deceased. Emmeline. deceased, was Mrs. Gar- rett. Hettie is dead. Minerva has been twice married-first to Washington Munkus. afterward to Lemuel Ferrell: she is now deceased. Frank was the youngest of the family. For a number of years the father farmed in the rich bottom land. of Howard County. Mo .. and then removed to Clay County, where he bought four hundred and forty acres of timber and prairie land. Here hie remained, enjoying the respect and good wishes of all his friends and neighbors, until his death at the age of seventy-three years. He was politically a Jacksonian Democrat, and had been for many years a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject received his education in the little log
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schoolhouse of his home neighborhood. A ruder structure can scarcely be conceived, with its punch- von floor, split logs for seats, and one slab across a side of the room for a writing-desk. The huge fire- place and a chimney of sticks and stones were al- most as essential to comfort as the window fa-h- ioned by cutting through a log. Such was the pioneer temple of learning where the farmer boys and girls gleaned the rudiments of a primary edu- cation, and from which, advancing steadily up- ward, many have in later years won high honors and renown. For some time after attaming his majority. Mr. Liggett had charge of his father's farm, and in starting out in life for himself, made a trip to New Mexico for the Government. The outfit of twenty-five wagons was employed in hauling provisions and general supplies. As game was abundant, our subject found frequent use for his rifle, and in one night shot three buffaloes by moonlight.
In 1850, Mr. Liggett crossed the plains to Cali- fornia. and starting with four wagons on the Ist of May, reached Ilangtown, or Placerville, as it is now called, the second day of September. The ex- posure of the long journey had affected our sub- ject unfavorably, and from the time of his arrival in the Golden State up to the date of his depart- ure for home, a few months later. he was never well, and consequently never engaged in the min- ing operations to which he had looked forward so hopefully. Returning to Clay County by water, he was four months at sea, and experienced the violence of a fearful storm. which swept the Gulf of Mexico. In spite of the rough passage home. Mr. Liggett improved constantly in health while on shipboard, and leaving Sacramento with but a weight of one hundred and thirty-five pounds. gained so much in avoirdupois, that when he landed he weighed one hundred and eighty-tive pounds. February 2. 1851, our subject was again among familiar scenes, and warmly welcomed home by the companions of his boyhood. In the fol- lowing August he was married to Miss Nancy Angeline Galloway, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Howdeshell) Galloway, well-known residents of Missouri. Into the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Liggett came fifteen children, two of whom died
in infancy. The thirteen sisters and brother- who survived to adult age were: Sarah JJ .. who married Henry Bayers: John T .; William; Loui-a. the wife of Lawrence Bayers; Mollie, married to George Frix; Irena, Robert, Stephen and David, deceased; Frank, Lucy. Mattie and Nannie. During No- vember, 1886. Mr. Liggett was terribly bereaved. losing within a few weeks both wife and four children.
After the marriage of our subject, his father gave him eighty acres of unimproved land, where he now lives. The eighty acres long since yielded to a high state of cultivation. and the homestead has extended its area to one hundred and sixty- five acres of fine land, all improved. Beginning life literally without capital, Mr. Liggett has well provided for his family and achieved a comfort- able competence for his declining years. In politi- cal belief, he is a strong Democrat. and in religions affiliation, is a devoted member of the Missionary Baptist Church. As an earnest, hard-working eiti- zen, of undoubted integrity of character. and an honored and representative pioneer, our subject is widely known, and thoroughly enjoys the esteem and confidence of the general public.
R. OBERT L. HAMILTON. M. D., is a very promising young physician of Richmond. Mo., and occupies a neat residence in the southern part of the city. He was born at Elkhorn, Ray County. Mo .. May 6. 1866, and is the only son of Walter C. and Lucretia (Shacke)- ford) Hamilton, The father of our subject is a native of Kentucky, and the mother of Clay County, Mo .. the latter being a daughter of Ry- land Shackelford, a native of Kentucky, but an early settler of Ray County.
The father of our subject is yet living on the old farm near Elkhorn, which he settled in 1833. doing a general farming and stock-raising Iot-i- ness. The mother also is living and in the enjoy - ment of excellent health. The grandfather of Pr.
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Hamilton was Judge Thoma- Hamilton. an early settler, who came here from Kentucky and was a very popular and widely known citizen.
Dr. Robert 1. Hamilton passed his youth on the farm, attending the public schools of the district, but subsequently took a business course at Stan- berry, Mo. After this he read medicine with his uncle, Dr. 11. B. Hamilton, and then entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis. He sube- quently attended the Marion Simms College of Medicine at St. Louis, graduating in March. 1891. lle then returned to Richmond and began the practice of medicine, in which he has succeeded re- markably well. and is fast gaining the confidence of the public, and is devoting him-elf earnestly to his work.
Dr. Hamilton was married December 30, 1891. to Miss Lena Taylor, of Orriek. Ray County, of which county she is a native. She is a daughter of M. G. Taylor. a general merchant at Orrick. Our subject is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, also of the Chapter; a Royal Arch Mason, and of Turner Lodge No. 177. K. of P'. In politics. he is a Democrat, and supports that party with an carnestness born of honest convic- tion. Dr. Hamilton has the advantage of an ex- cellent literary as well as professional training, and with a wide-extended circle of acquaintance and very prominent family connections. together with studious habits and enthusiasm for his pro- fession, his future outlook is most promising. His friends believe in him and it is safe to predict that he will take his place and hold it among the lead- ing physicians of the State of Missouri.
IKE D. PRIEST. Love of the farm and a consciousness of the independence of that life are marked characteristics of our subject, who now reside- at Richmond, Mo., and though retired from the active duties of the agriculturist. is yet proud and fond of the far- mer's occupation. He was born near Mt. Sterling. Montgomery County, Ky .. May 15. 1519. his fa-
ther, Elias Priest, bring a native of Virginia, who removed to Kentucky when but one year old, with his father, George Priest.
The father of our subject was born in 1790. grew up to manhood in Kentucky, and married there. Later he came to Ray County, Mo .. and located on a farm, which he made his home for a number of years, then removed to the southwest corner of Richmond Township. where he died in 1818. His wife, who survived him and died in 1852, was a daughter of Samuel Ringo, a native of Virginia, who settled in Kentucky, but in 1820 came to Missouri, settling first in Howard and then in Ray County. Luke D. Priest, the third son of ten children, passed his youth in his native county, alternating between farm work and school duties until he was seventeen. when he accompanied his parents to Ray County and remained with them until he was of age.
Upon attaining his majority, Mr. Priest began life on his own account, farming and raising stock of high grade upon his farm of two hundred and forty-two acres, located in the southwest part of Richmond Township. It is well improved with a good dwelling, barns. stables, etc., and for this place his attachment is strong, as here was the scene of his most protracted labor and his main success. His first start was with limited means, and his ac- cumulations have come through Ins own exertions. In 1891 he removed to Richmond. and has since that time given his attention to looking after hi- general affair -. In the same year he built a sub- stantial brick residence, which will compare favor- ably with that of any of his neighbors.
Our subject was married in 1811 to Miss Sarah J .. a daughter of Noble Goe. an early settler of Ray County. She was born in St. Charles County, Mo .. but was reared for the most part in Ray County. where she received her education. She died in 1883. having been the mother of twelve children. six of whom are living. namely: Margaret. wife of E. W. Kemper; Sarah, married to 11. 11. Holloway : Catlett S .; Like M .: Virginia A .. wife of Albert Qualls; and George M. William D. was married. but is now deceased: and Charles died after his marriage. Mr. Priest again married. his choice falling on Mrs. Susanna P. Webb, the ceremony tak-
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ing place in December. 1890, but she died ten days afterward. Mr. Priest is a Democrat in politics, and his fellow-citizens have often called upon him to hold office. Ile has served as Justice of the Peace for ten years. has been a School Director and has served as Publie Administrator two terms of two years each.
AMES A. DAVIS, the popular and efficient Cashier of the Exchange Bank of Rich- mond, Mo., is widely known as a genial, enterprising and upright citizen, and is a native of the State. He was born near Richmond, November 27. 1837. His father, Dr. Nathaniel Davis, a native Tennesseean. was a skillful and prosperous physician, and was born July 31. 1807. Dr. Davis enjoyed the advantages of an extended education. and was a cultured and refined gentle- man. Ile came to Richmond in 1835, and died here in 1884, at the age of seventy-four years. His father was Daniel Davis. who was of Scotch de- scent. The mother of our subject was Mariah Al- len, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Sam- uel Allen. She came to Ray County in very early times and lived many years adjacent to Richmond, and passed away in 1883, dying in her seventy- fifth year.
James A. Davis wa- the eldest child in a family of two brothers and two sisters. He attended the common schools of his home neighborhood. and assisted upon the farm, and at eighteen years of age began life for himself, clerking in the dry- goods store of M. F. MeDonald, of Richmond, and remained in this line of employment for two years. Our subject next bought an interest in a store with George W. Mason, and successfully con- ducted the same for four years: then selling out the business, he engaged in farming and stock- raising, continuing in agricultural duties from 1869 to 1872. Mr. Davis then became a Deputy Collector under Thomas B. Fowler. and also served a- Deputy under Allen Fowler. remaining with the latter in this capacity for four years. In 1879
he was elected County Collector and by re-elec- tion tilled the office eight years, making in all about fourteen years in that office, six years as Deputy and eight years as Collector. Mr. Davis retired from the cares of official life to accept his present position as Ca-ler in the Exchange Bank, where his services are in constant demand and he is one of the valned and trusted members of this banking house.
In 1861, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Mary Triplett, of Richmond. Va., daughter of Pennie Triplett. and a native of the Old Da- mimon. Mr. Davis and wife had one daughter. Carrie, who married JJ. F. Clark, who is a farmer of Ray County. Mrs. Davis died in August. 1862. Our subject married his present wife in May. 1865. She was Miss Alle M. Hughes, of Howard County. Mo. This lady is a niece of Joseph and James Hughes, widely known throughout Richmond and surrounding country. By this second marriage our subject became the father of seven children: Kate B., Allie. Lulu, Estelle, Harry. Frank and James. Mr. Davis, his wife and three daughters are all members of the Presbyterian Church, and are each and all active factors in the organization and pro- motion of social enterprises and the good work of that religious denomination. Politically Mr. Davis is a straight Democrat, and although never a politician he takes a deep and abiding interest in both local and national is-nes. Born within the limit- of the county, his interests center here where his children and his brothers and sisters make their home and are each and all in their sev- eral localities numbered among the upright. honor- able and true American citizens.
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UDGE R. T. CRAVEN, of Ray County, was bom June 19, 18th, near the place where he now lives in section 2, township 52. range 29. llis parents. Andrew J. and Huldah ( Whitton) Craven. were natives of Ten- nessee, born respectively in 1812 and lots. The paternal grandparents. Richard C. and Elizabeth
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(Rains) Craven, were natives of North Carolina, and from there they removed to Tennessee at an early date, when Indians still inhabited that State. There they continued to re-ide until called away from the busy scenes of earth, after having at- tained to advanced years.
In the district schools of Tennessee the father of our subject gained a common-school education. In 1826 he accompanied his parents to Missouri and grew to man's estate in Ray County, mean- while becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. In the fall of 1811 he mar- ried Huldah. daughter of Elijah and Sarah ( Ross) Whitton, who were probably born in North Caro- lina but were pioneers of Tennessee. At the time of his father's death, Andrew J. Craven came into possession of a portion of the homestead, and with that as a foundation he accumulated a comfortable competency. So successful were his efforts that he became the owner of six hundred and forty acres, most of which was improved during his lifetime. He was still in the prime of life when called from earth in 1865; his wife still survives him and makes her home in this township on the old home- stead.
The parental family consisted of nine children, one of whom died in childhood. The others were: R. T., of this sketch: Benjamin F., deceased; Henry; Sarah, wife of John Clevenger; Mary F., who first married Aden Clevenger and after his death became the wife of Zebidee Sailors; James B., George and R. Allen. Upon the twenty-first anniversary of his birth, our subject was bereaved by the death of his father, after which he took charge of the homestead and cared for the other members of the family. Prior to that and during the Civil War he enlisted for the service of the Union and served with credit to himself for nine months, when he was honorably discharged. In 1865 he went with a freighting outfit over the plains on the Platte River to Cottonwood Springs.
The marriage of Mr. Craven in November, 1868, united him with Miss Eliza J., daughter of William and Lucinda (Sollinger) Melver, and unto them have been born tive children, namely: Andrew, Ada B., Laura and Ellen (twins) and Bertha Alice. After his marriage our subject set-
tled on a portion of the homestead which had been bequeathed to him by his father, and here he still makes his home. Since the place came into his possession he has greatly improved it by re- modeling the residence, building borns of a sub- stantial kind, dividing and subdividing the fields by a neat system of fencing, and in other way- en- hancing the value of the farm.
While his attention is devoted principally to agriculture, Mr. Craven finds time to keep himself well informed on all topics of general and local interest. Ilis political affiliations have been with the Democratic party since boyhood and he is in- tluential in its ranks. For ten years he served ef- ficiently as Justice of the Peace and has been Notary Public for twelve years. In 1888 he was chosen Associate Judge of the County Court, and wasre-elected for a second term in 1890. Ile filled the position with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He has been identified with the Masonic order since 1867 and is a Master Mason, belonging to Harmony Lodge No. 384. A. F. & A. M., at Vibbard.
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S AMUEL J. BROOKS, a representative farmer, earnest, upright and influential cit- izen. and almost a lifetime resident of Clay County. Mo., was born April 11. 1822, in Clark County, Ky., and for sixty-seven years has been intimately associated with the growth and progress of this immediate locality. The parents of our subject were Abijah and Har- riet (Brooks) Brooks, the wife being a cousin of her husband. Abijah Brooks was a native of Clark County, Ky .. and was reared in the heavily timbered part of the State. Ilis opportunities for study were limited. and his father dying when he was eighteen years of age. he at once began to earn his own living. He traveled around for one year, going to New Orleans, to Ohio, and also journeying to the farther East. Atabout twenty- one years of age he married and returned to Ken- tucky, where he had inherited one hundred and
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
twenty acres from his father. His wife was a na -- i tive of Massachusetts, and was there reared to womanhood, afterward accompanying her parents to Ohio. Mr. Brooks continued to cultivate the one hundred and twenty neres of the home-tead until he removed to Clay County, in 1826.
The journey to Missouri was made in true pio- neer style, family and goods being transported slowly by teams and covered wagons. Arriving safely at their destination. the father bongb: eighty acres of land near Smithville, and at the time of his death, having entered claims from the Government, owned in all about one thousand acres. Devoting his time mainly to general farm- ing and stock-raising. he has prospered and loaned money, and has thus greatly increased his income. When he came to Missouri he was in good circum- stances for those early days, owning excellent horses and teams. three negroes. and several hun- dred dollars in cash. At the time of his death be owned sixteen slaves. Abijah and Harriet Brooks were the parents of fourteen children. Samuel J. was the eldest of the family. The others in order of birth were: Sarah E., Harriet. Van W., Virginia and Abijah, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Wilham Onan, died leaving two children; Mary. deceased. was the wife of S. G. Greenfield; John ; Benjamin G., deceased; Thomas S .. who resides in Smithville; Julia, the wife of John Williams: Martha. de- ceased, the wife of John Rogers; and Abbie. de- ceased, the wife of Tipson Snail. The father of these brothers and sisters was a sincere Christian and a member of the Baptist Church. Politically he was an old-line Whig.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Abijah and Naney (Strode) Brooks, who were na- tives of Ireland, and who emigrated from the Old Country to Canada, and from there to Kentucky, where they founded their branch of the Brooks family in the United States. Samuel J. Brooks. our subject. received a primary education in the early schools of Clay County, and at the age of twenty-one years ambitiously entered land in Platte County. After proving it up he came back to his parents, and received from his father the gift of some wild land and upon the unbroken prairie started in life as an agriculturist. In Is ts. our suh-
ject was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda J. Smith, daughter of William and Elizabeth( Walker) Smith. Their pleasant home has been blessed by the birth of eleven children. the sons and daughters whe once gathered an unbroken band being: Mary E .. deceased: Martha A .. deceased. the wife of William P'. Thomason; Van W .; Samuel J .; James A .; Eugene; George, deceased; fesbelle, the wife of D. W. Williams: Lydia A .. wife of George Wilson; Harrison; and Thomas. a physician of Dearborn, Platte County. Mo .. enjoy- ing an excellent practice. Mr. Brooks now has fifty- two acres of land, but at one time owned nine hundred and thirty-five. His first wife died June 9. 1878, and he afterward married Mrs. Ann ( Brooks) Wilkerson, daughter of Van and Cla- mensa (Young) Brooks. This lady was the mother of six children born unto her first husband. John W. was the eldest: Van is deceased: Ernest i l' .; Jefferson D .: Arthur, deceased; and Benjamin F. Mr. Wilkerson, their father, was a native of Kentucky and located with his parents in Clay County in 1826. Mr. Brooks is a valued member of the Christian Church, and a great worker in the cause of temperance. A thorough Christian citi- zen. ever exerting his influence in behalf of the betterment of his fellow-men. our subject com- mands the esteem and high regard of all who know him. Politically he is a Prohibitionist and votes for conscience' sake.
P RES E. HILL. formerly Treasurer of Ray County, Mo., has held various important positions of trust, and. a citizen of unblem- ished reputation. possessed of executive tal- ent, is well adapted to the faithful handling of public interests. Our subject was born in Ray County, Mo., near Knoxville, June 22, 1-62. and has been a resident of Richmond for a number of years. His father. Elijah P. Hill, was a native Tennesseean, and was the son of Royalty Hill. an early settler of Tennessee. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Ellen Richards, She
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was born in Indiana. and _was the daughter of William Richard, born and reared in Indiana. Both parents of Mr. Hill reside in Ray County, ou a farm near Vibbard.
Elijah P. Hill came with his parents to Missouri when a lad twelve years of age, and assisting upon the farm, attended in the winter months the little distriet school of the home neighborhood. Ar- rived at man's estate, he married and became the father of ten children, eight sons and two dangh- ters, nine of whom are yet living. Our subjeet was the eldest in the large family. and remaining through his boyhood upon the old homestead early engaged in agricultural duties. When he could be spared from the daily round of work he attended the distriet school. and, diligently prepar- ing himself to make his own way in life, began teaching school at sixteen years of age. He con. tinned in the responsible profession of a teacher for six years and was acknowledged to be one of the most successful instructors of Ray County. teaching mainly in the country schools. In the spring of ISSI he began clerking in the store of J. T. Wilson & Co., general merchants at Rich- mond.
In 1888 Mr. Hill was elected to the office of Treasurer of Ray County, and as an officer gave universal satisfaction by the manner and method of his transaction of public business and his capa- bility as a financier. having been thoroughly tested since he became an incumbent of the office. lle was re-elected Treasurer in 1890. serving two years longer. Mr. Hill was married October 6. 1889. to Miss Genevieve Kavanaugh. of Ray County, Mo .. a most estimable lady. a native of the county, and a daughter of Charles B. Kavanaugh, well known as a prominent and upright citizen. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Hill has been blessed by the birth of one son, a bright little child. Baxter P. Our subject is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 208, 1. O. O. F. He takes a very active part in politieal matters, and, a publie-spirited citizen. is also foremost in worthy benevolent and social enterprises, and has ever been an important fac- tor in promoting and sustaining the organization of business interests tending to the growth and progress of his home locality and Ray County. !
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